US Congress support for Hong Kong protests adds to pressure on White House to take firmer stance towards Chinese government
- Growing bipartisan support for pro-democracy demonstrations raises threat to city’s trade status under Hong Kong human rights bill
- President Donald Trump has come under increasing criticism for his comments, such as characterising the protests as ‘riots’
A growing tide of US bipartisan support for pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong has raised the pressure on the White House to act in the event of a crackdown – including the threat of removing the city’s special trade status.
On Wednesday US President Donald Trump urged his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to resolve the situation “humanely” after growing criticism of his previous comments – including the acceptance of Beijing’s characterisation of the protests as “riots”.
As tensions escalate in Hong Kong – including the paralysation of the city’s airport earlier this week – US politicians have renewed calls to pass the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act.
The bipartisan legislation would require the White House to carry out an annual review to determine whether Hong Kong’s special trade status, which allows it to be recognised as a separate customs territory to mainland China, can still be justified.
The amendment was initially proposed in 2016, months after five Causeway Bay booksellers disappeared from the city only to resurface in the mainland’s courts.